Synonyms for Ostracise
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team
Quick answer: To ostracise someone means to exclude them from a group or society, often intentionally. This guide provides synonyms for ostracise grouped by tone and context. You will find closest matches, formal alternatives, and informal terms. Each entry includes a brief explanation and an example sentence to clarify usage. Select the word that best fits your specific situation.
Closest Synonyms for Ostracise
- Exclude
- To keep someone out or prevent inclusion; The committee decided to exclude the new member from the meeting.
- Shun
- To deliberately avoid or treat someone with coldness; Everyone shunned the man who broke the rules.
- Marginalize
- To treat someone as unimportant or insignificant; Her opinions were marginalized during the discussion.
- Dismiss
- To reject or treat as unworthy of consideration; He was dismissed from the team without explanation.
- Banish
- To send someone away or forbid them from returning; The king banished his rival to a distant island.
- Cut off
- To sever a relationship or communication; They cut off her phone access as punishment.
- Isolate
- To separate someone from others; The storm isolated the village from the rest of the world.
- Relegate
- To assign to an inferior position or rank; He was relegate to a back-row role.
- Disenfranchise
- To deprive someone of rights or privileges; The law disenfranchised many voters.
- Alienate
- To make someone feel estranged or separated; His rude behavior began to alienate his friends.
- Spurn
- To reject or treat with disdain; She spurned his offer of friendship.
- Oust
- To remove someone from a position or place; The board voted to oust the manager.
Formal Synonyms for Ostracise
- Expel
- To officially remove from an organization; He was expelled for misconduct.
- Eject
- To force someone out of a place; Guests were ejected for loud behavior.
- Disassociate
- To formally cut ties or separate; The company disassociated from the controversial figure.
- Segregate
- To separate by law or custom; They were segregated during the era.
- Disinherit
- To refuse to leave property to; She decided to disinherit her eldest son.
- Divest
- To deprive of rights or support; The union divested its members of their vote.
- Sequester
- To isolate or keep apart; The jury was sequestered from the public.
- Interdict
- To forbid access or communication; The school interdicted the student from the grounds.
Informal Synonyms for Ostracise
- Leave out
- To intentionally forget or skip someone; They left him out of the party planning.
- Give the silent treatment
- To refuse to speak to someone; He gave her the silent treatment all day.
- Side-eye
- To look at someone with disapproval; Everyone side-eyed her when she arrived.
- Ignore
- To pay no attention to; They completely ignored his questions.
- Bury
- To hide or keep away from view; We need to bury this topic quickly.
- Write off
- To treat as irrelevant or unworthy; The manager wrote off his idea immediately.
- Cut loose
- To stop associating with someone; They decided to cut loose from the toxic group.
- Turn away
- To refuse entry or acceptance; The guard turned away the trespasser.
- Kick out
- To remove forcefully from a place; They kicked him out of the house.
- Leave cold
- To treat with indifference; She left him cold after the argument.
Stronger and Weaker Words
Antonyms for Ostracise
- Include
- Embrace
- Welcome
- Accept
- Integrate
- Incorporate
- Admit
- Involve
- Invite
- Unite
How to Pick the Right Synonym
When choosing a synonym for ostracise, consider the context and intensity of the situation. Formal settings require precise words like expel or disenfranchise, while casual conversations suit terms like leave out or ignore. Assess whether the action is legal, social, or emotional to select the most accurate term. Always check if the word implies permanent removal or temporary exclusion to ensure clarity in your message.
